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Full text of latest news from the Irish National Organisation of the UnemployedenCopyright (C) 2019 INOUFri, 11 Jan 2019 11:31:00 GMTFri, 11 Jan 2019 11:31:00 GMT20INOU - Latest Newshttp://www.inou.ie/press/
http://www.inou.ie/xml/rss.gif7445Full text of latest news from the Irish National Organisation of the UnemployedDecember’s Live Register Figureshttp://www.inou.ie/press/2019/01/11/decembers-live-register-figures/
<p>On January 10<sup>th</sup>, 2019 the Central Statistics Office (CSO) published the Live Register figures for December, 2018 and it stood at 199,669, a decline of 36,599 people on the same month last year. The seasonally adjusted register figure for December was 204,000. The last time the seasonally adjusted Live Register was at a similar level was May, 2008, when it was 204,900.</p><p>39.8% of the Register, or 79,542 people, have been on it for more than a year, 18,376 fewer people than in December 2017. Young people, aged under 25 years account for 6.3% of those on the Register for more than a year. The age group with the highest percentage are those aged 45-54 years, at 21.3%. Looking at these figures from a gender perspective, women account for 40.8% and men 59.2%. Looking at the figures from a combination of age and gender, the largest group are men aged 35-44 years, at 12.9% of this part of the Register.</p><p>Of the people who have been on the Register for more than a year, 45,649 people have been on it for three years or more, which represents 57.4% of those on the Register for more than a year, and 22.9% of the whole Register. Looking at this figure from the perspective of age and gender, men aged 45-54 years are the largest group, accounting for 13.7% of this part of the Register.</p><p>According to the Annex Table there were 56,012 people participating on Activation Programmes in November 2018: 5,541 fewer participants then in the same month in 2017. There were 3,533 fewer participants on employment programmes, the biggest of these programmes is Community Employment and it had 21,487 participants. Participation on education and training programmes fell by 2,008 participants. Two programmes had more participants in November 2018 than in same month in 2017. They are Tús, a community based employment programme, with 6,579 participants (+57); and what is curiously still called FAS (Solas) Full Time Training for Unemployed People, with 6,395 participants (+113).</p>Fri, 11 Jan 2019 11:19:00 GMThttp://www.inou.ie/press/2019/01/11/decembers-live-register-figures/December 2018 Unemployment Figureshttp://www.inou.ie/press/2019/01/08/december-2018-unemployment-figures/
<p>On January 8<sup>th</sup>, 2019 the Central Statistics Office (CSO) published the Monthly Unemployment figures for December 2018. The monthly unemployment figures are based on the most recent Labour Force Survey (LFS) and changes in the Live Register since the latest LFS was released. The most recent LFS covered Quarter 3, 2018 and was published on November 20<sup>th</sup>, 2018. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>In December, 2018 127,100 people were unemployed, a decline of 20,000 on the same month in 2017. The overall Monthly Unemployment Rate (MUR) was 5.3%, down 0.9% on December 2017. Women account for 46.2% of those who are unemployed and men for 53.8%. In December 2018 the female and male unemployment rates were the same as the overall one: 5.3%. A year ago they were 5.8%; 6.5%; and 6.2% respectively.</p><p>Looking at these figures from an age perspective there were 89,700 unemployed people aged between 25 and 74 years, and their MUR was 4.3%. A year ago these figures stood at 110,400 and 5.3% respectively. The gender breakdown is similar to the national one: men account for 53% of this age group and women 47%. The male MUR was 4.2%, down 1.3% on December 2017. The female MUR was 4.4%, down 0.6% over the year.</p><p>For the younger age group, people aged 15-24 years of age, there were 37,300 young people unemployed and their MUR was 12.2%. In December 2017, fewer young people were unemployed, 36,700, but their MUR was higher at 13.3%. Looking at the gender breakdown, 44% of this group were women; there were 1,400 more young women unemployed than a year ago. The MUR for young women went down by 0.7% to 11.1%.&nbsp; Men accounted for 56% of this age group in December 2018, but a year ago accounted for 59%. Over the year the male Monthly Unemployment Rate (MUR) dropped 1.6% to 13.1%.</p>Tue, 08 Jan 2019 13:40:00 GMThttp://www.inou.ie/press/2019/01/08/december-2018-unemployment-figures/Educational Attainment Thematic Report 2018http://www.inou.ie/press/2018/12/18/educational-attainment-thematic-report-2018/
<p>On December 18<sup>th</sup>, 2018 the Central Statistics Office (CSO) published the <em>Educational Attainment Thematic Report 2018</em>. This report draws on data for Labour Force Survey Quarter 2, 2018, and highlights the strong link between educational attainment and employment status. For young people aged 18-24 years, their employment rate was 55%, their unemployment rate was 9%, and 36% of them were deemed inactive. But, for young people who have left school early, these figures are strikingly different: only 28% of them are employed; 18% are unemployed; and 54% are seen as inactive i.e. not in the labour force.</p><p>Looking at people aged 25-64 years, the unemployment rate for people with primary level education or lower was 14%, in comparison to an unemployment rate of 4% for people with third level education. The employment rates are also stark: 35% for people with primary or below vis-à-vis 85% for people with third level education.</p><p>In this age group people with a third level education account for 47% of the population, while people with primary or below represent 5%. The report notes the change over the past nine years. In Q2 2009 13% of this age group had primary level education or below; while in that quarter 37% of the population had third level education. &nbsp;</p><p>Breaking down these figures further by age, the age groups with a 50%+ third level education were people aged 25-34 years and 35-44 years.&nbsp; Looking at the age groups 20-24 years and 25-34 years from a gender perspective there is striking difference between female and male third level attainment. Young women aged 20-24 had a third level attainment rate of 32% in comparison to a male rate of 22%. While young men aged 35-44 years had a third level attainment rate of 52% in comparison to a female rate of 60%.</p><p>Looking at the participation rate for people aged 25-64 years, again there are striking differences across the education spectrum. The participation rate is the number of persons in the labour force expressed as a percentage of the total population. And in Q2 2018, people with third level education had a participation rate of 89%, in comparison to one of 41% for people with primary or below. This contrast was greater for women, as the participation rate for women with a third level qualification was 85%, in comparison to a participation of 29% for women with a primary education or below.</p><p>Click here to read the full report <a href="https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/eda/educationalattainmentthematicreport2018/">https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/eda/educationalattainmentthematicreport2018/</a></p>Tue, 18 Dec 2018 14:41:00 GMThttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/12/18/educational-attainment-thematic-report-2018/Survey on Income and Living Conditions 2017http://www.inou.ie/press/2018/12/18/survey-on-income-and-living-conditions-2017/
<p>On December 17<sup>th</sup>, 2018 the Central Statistics Office (CSO) published the Survey on Income and Living Conditions, SILC, for 2017. SILC is a household survey that captures information on a range of income and social transfers.</p><p>Amongst the data produced by SILC are key national poverty indicators including the at-risk-of- poverty rate; the deprivation rate; and the consistent poverty rate. The at-risk-of-poverty rate is defined as “<em>the share of persons with an equivalised income below a given percentage (usually 60%) of the national median income</em>”. The deprivation rate is defined as <em>“Households that are excluded and marginalised from consuming goods and services which are considered the norm for other people in society, due to an inability to afford them”</em>. And the consistent poverty rate captures people “<em>who are defined as being at risk of poverty and experiencing enforced deprivation (experiencing two or more types of deprivation)”.</em></p><p>At the national level at-risk-of- poverty rate declined from 16.2% in 2016 to 15.7% in 2017. The deprivation rate was 21% in 2016 and fell to 18.8% in 2017. The deprivation rate for people who are at-risk-of- poverty fell from 50.4% in 2016 to 42.8% in 2017. The consistent poverty rate was 8.2% in 2016 and 6.7% in 2017.</p><p>Looking at these figures from the perspective of people who are unemployed at-risk-of- poverty rate increased from 39.2% in 2016 to 42% in 2017. The deprivation rate declined from 42.5% in 2016 to 41% in 2017. And the consistent poverty rate increased from 23.4% in 2016 and 24.1% in 2017.</p><p>As this figures illustrate, key poverty indicators are much higher for unemployed people than the national figures. This is also true for other groups of people. In 2017 the consistent poverty rate for people who are ‘not at work due to illness or disability’ was 24%; their deprivation rate was 45.9%; and their at-risk-of- poverty rate was 35.4%.</p><p>Looking at these figures from a household composition, three households had a consistent poverty rate in double digits: 1 adult aged &lt;65 at 20%; 1 adult with children aged under 18 at 20.7%; and other households with children aged under 18 at 11.3%.</p><p>Households who are no one at work had a consistent poverty rate of 21.3% in 2017; a deprivation rate of 34.2%; and an at-risk-of- poverty rate of 40.3%.</p><p><a href="https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-silc/surveyonincomeandlivingconditionssilc2017/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CLICK HERE to read the full survey</a></p>Tue, 18 Dec 2018 11:15:00 GMThttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/12/18/survey-on-income-and-living-conditions-2017/November’s Live Register Figureshttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/12/06/novembers-live-register-figures/
<p>On December 6<sup>th</sup>, 2018 the Central Statistics Office (CSO) published the Live Register figures for November, 2018 and it contained 196,261 people, 36,948 few people than in the same month last year. The seasonally adjusted register figure for November was 207,200: the first time this figure has been under 210,000 since May 2008, when it stood at 204,900 people.</p><p>41% of the Register, or 80,557 people, have been on it for more than a year, 17,908 fewer people than in November 2017. Young people, aged under 25 years account for 6.3% of those on the Register for more than a year. The age group with the highest percentage are those aged 45-54 years, at 21.2%. Looking at these figures from a gender perspective, women account for 40.9% and men 59.1%. Looking at the figures from a combination of age and gender, the largest group are men aged 35-44 years, at 12.8% of the Register.</p><p>Of the people who have been on the Register for more than a year, 46,396 people have been on it for three years or more, which represents 57.6% of those on the Register for more than a year, and 23.6% of the whole Register.</p><p>Looking at this figure from the perspective of age and gender, men aged 45-54 years are the largest group, accounting for 13.6%. Looking at it from a scheme perspective, Jobseekers Allowance applications account for 72%, and Other Registrants account for 28%. A striking feature of the ‘other registrants’ category is that 51% of this group are aged 60-64 years. &nbsp;</p><p>According to the Annex Table there were 55,335 people participating on Activation Programmes in October 2018: 5,641 fewer participants then in the same month in 2017. There were 3,452 fewer participants on employment programmes, the biggest of these programmes is Community Employment and it had 21,243 participants. Participation on education and training programmes fell by 2,189 participants. The only programme that recorded more participants in October 2018 was Tús, a community based employment programme, with 6,705 participants.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>Thu, 06 Dec 2018 10:35:00 GMThttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/12/06/novembers-live-register-figures/November Unemployment Figureshttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/12/05/november-unemployment-figures/
<p>Click the link below.</p><p><a href="https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/mue/monthlyunemploymentnovember2018/">https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/mue/monthlyunemploymentnovember2018/</a>&nbsp;</p>Wed, 05 Dec 2018 15:33:00 GMThttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/12/05/november-unemployment-figures/Labour Force Survey Q3 2018http://www.inou.ie/press/2018/11/21/labour-force-survey-q3-2018/
<p>On November 20<sup>th</sup> 2018 the Central Statistics Office (CSO) published the Labour Force Survey (LFS) for Quarter 3, 2018. According to this survey there were 2,273,200 people employed, an increase of 66,700 on the same quarter in 2017. An additional 44,200 people were in full-time employment, and 22,500 people in part-time employment. Part-time employment accounts for 20% of people in employment. 111,500 people who are working part-time described themselves as underemployed i.e. they working less hours than they would like, and they represent 4.9% of those in employment.&nbsp;</p><p>There were 143,800 people who were unemployed, a decrease of 19,700 over the year. The overall unemployment rate in Q2 2018 was 6%, 0.9% lower than the same quarter in 2017. Looking at this rate from a gender perspective, the female unemployment rate was 6.1%, and the male rate was 5.9%, the first time the female rate was higher since Q3 2007. Young women, aged 15-19 years, had the highest unemployment rate at 25.9% in Q3 2018, while women aged 65+ has the lowest rate at 0.5%.&nbsp;</p><p>50,200 people were unemployed for more than a year. The long-term unemployment rate was 2.1%, down 0.7% on Q3 2017. Looking at long-term unemployment from an age perspective young people aged 15-24 account for 18.7%; people aged 25-44 account for 43.2%; while those aged 45years and over account for 38%. Men account for 58% of the long-term unemployed, and women account for 42%.</p><p>The country has been divided into eight regions: Border; West; Mid-West; South-East; South-West; Dublin; Mid-East; and Midland. Four regions had unemployment rates higher than the State’s rate of 6%: the West at 6.6%; the Mid-West at 7.2%; the South-East at 8.6%; and the Midlands at 7.1%.</p><p>The State’s Participation Rate, which is arrived at by dividing the Labour Force by the total population aged 15+ years, stood at 62.6%. This rate was lower in the four regions with a higher unemployment rate. Three regions had a higher participation rate and they were the South-West at 62.9%; the Mid-East at 63%; and Dublin at 66.1%. These three regions also had lower unemployment rates: 4.9%; 5.8% and 5.3% respectively. The Border region was the only one with both lower participation and unemployment rates: 59.3% and 5.1% respectively.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>As part of the Labour Force Survey the CSO also publishes the Indicators of Potential Labour Supply, which present a fuller picture of the employment issues facing Ireland. PLS3, which captures <em>“unemployed persons plus Potential Additional Labour Force plus others who want a job, who are not available and not seeking for reasons other than being in education or training as a percentage of the Labour Force plus Potential Additional Labour Force plus others who want a job, who are not available and not seeking for reasons other than being in education or training”</em>. In Q3 2018 PLS3 stood at 14.6%, while in Q3 2007 it was 7.4%.</p><p>The Potential Additional Labour Force (PALF) stood at 118,600 people in Q3 2018. The CSO notes that PALF consists of two groups <em>‘persons seeking work but not immediately available’ </em>and <em>‘persons available for work but not seeking’</em>. This figure is seen as supplementing the unemployment rate and captures people who are unemployed but may have lost heart seeking work, and people who may face logistical challenges, including childcare and transport, finding and maintaining paid employment.&nbsp;</p>Wed, 21 Nov 2018 10:34:00 GMThttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/11/21/labour-force-survey-q3-2018/October 2018, Live Register Figureshttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/11/05/october-2018-live-register-figures/
<p>On November 2<sup>nd</sup>, 2018 the Central Statistics Office (CSO) published the Live Register figures for October, 2018 and it contained 199,247 people. The last time the register was below 200,000 was April 2008, when it stood at 195,598 people.</p><p>41.7% of the Register, or 82,998 people, have been on it for more than a year, 18,592 fewer people than in October 2017. Young people, aged under 25 years account for 6.6% of those on the Register for more than a year. The age group with the highest percentage are those aged 45-54 years, at 21.1%. Looking at these figures from a gender perspective, women account for 40.8% and men 59.2%. Looking at the figures from a combination of age and gender, the largest group are men aged 35-44 years, at 12.8% of the Register.</p><p>Of the people who have been on the Register for more than a year, 47,772 people have been on it for three years or more, which represents 57.6% of those on the Register for more than a year, and 24% of the whole Register.</p><p>Looking at this figure from the perspective of age and gender, men aged 45-54 years are the largest group, accounting for 13.4%. Looking at it from a scheme perspective, Jobseekers Allowance applications account for 73%, and Other Registrants account for 27%.&nbsp;</p><p>According to the Annex Table there were 53,308 people participating on Activation Programmes in September 2018. In September 2017 there were 4,325 more participants. The programmes that recorded fewer participants in 2018 were the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance; DSP Part-time Job Incentive Scheme; JobBridge; Gateway; Community Employment: and the Back to Education Allowance.</p><p>The two programmes that recorded some increase over the year were: TUS, the Community Work Placement Initiative (133), which is rolled out under the auspices of the Local Development companies; and FAS (Solas) Full-time Training for Unemployed People (71), which is rolled-out through the Education and Training Boards.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>Mon, 05 Nov 2018 10:02:00 GMThttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/11/05/october-2018-live-register-figures/October Unemployment Figureshttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/10/31/october-unemployment-figures/
<p>On October 31<sup>st</sup>, 2018 the Central Statistics Office published the Monthly Unemployment figures for October 2018. 126,400 people were unemployed, a decline of 29,400 on the same month in 2017. The overall Monthly Unemployment Rate (MUR) was 5.3%, down 1.3% on October 2017.&nbsp; The previous time the MUR was 5.3% was between the months of December 2007 and February 2008. At that stage between 124,400 and 124,900 people were unemployed.</p><p>Looking at these figures from an age perspective there were 93,600 unemployed people aged between 25 and 74 years, and their MUR was 4.4%. A year ago these figures stood at 118,000 and 5.6% respectively. The previous time this age groups MUR stood at 4.4% was in April 2008, and at that stage there were 83,600 people unemployed.&nbsp;</p><p>For the younger age group, people aged 15-24 years of age, their MUR was 12%, which brings the rate back to late spring / early summer of 2008. At that stage there were between 50,600 and 54,800 young people unemployed. In October, 2018 there were 32,800 young people unemployed, a figure last seen in mid-2002, at that stage young people’s unemployment rate stood at 7.9%. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>Wed, 31 Oct 2018 12:22:00 GMThttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/10/31/october-unemployment-figures/What did Budget 2019 deliver?http://www.inou.ie/press/2018/10/10/what-did-budget-2019-deliver/
<p class="text-center"><strong><img src="/imglibrary/2018/09/15371762145303054_sm.png"></strong></p><p class="text-center">&nbsp;</p><p>Budget 2019 was announced by the Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe T.D. on October 9<sup>th</sup>, 2018. A key ask for the INOU was that the Government started to benchmark all social welfare rates at a level that is sufficient to lift people above the poverty line and provide them with a Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL).</p><p>The General Branch, the mechanism through which unemployed people participate in the running of the INOU, had called <em>“on the Government to increase the Christmas Bonus to 100% of normal weekly payments for customers.”&nbsp;</em></p><p>The INOU raised concerns that Brexit and changing nature of work, in particular digitalisation, could have a detrimental effect on people more distant from the labour market, and reduce their capacity to secure and maintain economic independence.</p><p>To that end the INOU called on the Government to resource the provision of good career and employment guidance to support unemployed people to make informed choices. In particular to ensure that individuals and communities most disadvantaged in the labour market are pro-actively provided with tailor made supports that will address their marginalisation.</p><p>Given the wide range of learning needs evident amongst the unemployed it is important that the correct supports are in place and people are supported to make the most appropriate choice for themselves, including locally based adult and community based education courses.</p><p>Of particular concern to the INOU is the inadequacy of supports to assist unemployed people to participate in education and training, some supports were cut during the crisis and others have remained unchanged for years, and this issue must be addressed.</p><p><strong>So how does Budget 2019 compare to the INOU calls for action on the Government to:</strong></p><ol><li>Benchmark all Social Welfare rates at a level which is sufficient to both lift people above the poverty line and provide them with a Minimum Essential Standard of Living.<ul><li>There was nothing new per se on this issue.</li></ul></li><li>To make progress on this issue, increase Social Welfare rates by €6.<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;"><li>The main Social Welfare rates will be increased by €5 in March 2019, almost bringing Jobseekers payments back to 2009 levels, which is most welcome.</li><li>However, this is the year when age segregation was introduced in the means tested payment Jobseeker’s Allowance, and this inequality remains.</li><li>During the crisis the duration a recipient could be on the social insurance payment, Jobseeker’s Benefit was reduced from 15 months to 9, if the person had more than 5 years PRSI contribution; and from 12 months to 6 if they had less than 5 years PRSI contributions. These cuts in duration remain.</li></ol></li><li>Increase the Christmas Bonus to 100% of normal weekly payments for Social Welfare recipients.<ul><li>Done and most welcome for the people who will receive it, but it should be noted that an unemployed person must be on a Jobseeker’s payment for at least 15 months to be eligible to receive it.</li></ul></li><li>Introduce an hours-based Social Welfare system and re-design the earnings disregard accordingly.<ul><li>There was nothing new on this issue.</li></ul></li><li>Increase the top-up payment on employment programmes by €7.50 to better support participants costs of engagement.<ul><li>Participants on employment programmes will receive the €5 increase to social welfare payments, but the top-up remains at €22.50.</li></ul></li><li>Increase the Income disregard for Jobseekers Allowance (JA) to €25 per day.<ul><li>There was nothing new on this issue.</li></ul></li><li>Increase the Capital disregard for JA from €20,000 to €30,000 and the next €10,000 to €15,000 for the two subsequent assessments.<ul><li>There was nothing new on this issue.</li></ul></li><li>Bring the capital disregard for Supplementary Welfare Allowance into line with other working age payments.<ul><li>There was nothing new on this issue.</li></ul></li><li>Resource the provision of good career and employment guidance to support unemployed people to make informed choices.<ul><li>There was nothing new on this issue, and it will be important that if Ireland’s employment / unemployment figures continue to improve that people who become and remain unemployed are given the appropriate supports to secure a decent job.</li></ul></li><li>Ensure that individuals and communities most disadvantaged in the labour market are pro-actively provided with tailor made supports that will address their marginalisation.<ul><li>There was nothing new per se on this issue, though the additional funding under the PEACE Programme 2014-2020 is a welcome development.</li></ul></li><li>Run an information campaign on the full range of Back to Work supports e.g. the Part-time Job Incentive Scheme; SWA Payment Pending Wages; Enterprise and Education Allowances; Family Dividend.<ul><li>There was nothing new per se on this issue, but the INOU will be pursuing this issue through our work with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.</li></ul></li><li>Support people to address the initial costs of taking up employment.<ul><li>There was nothing new per se on this issue.</li></ul></li><li>Support people to manage the impact of unemployment on their health and well-being.<ul><li>There was nothing new per se on this issue.</li></ul></li><li>Support frontline staff to deliver a person-centred service with good guidance and information on the best options.<ul><li>There was nothing new per se on this issue.</li></ul></li><li>Incorporate a strong equality and social inclusion focus, especially for older unemployed people.<ul><li>There was nothing new per se on this issue.</li></ul></li><li>Plan for the employment impacts of Brexit: the job losses and gains and ensure the people affected gain access to decent employment.<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;"><li>Under the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation there will be additional funding for the Department, its Enterprise Agencies, and regulatory bodies, to assist enterprises to diversify in global markets and in meeting the challenge of Brexit.</li><li>Under the Department of Education and Skills, and as part of the Government’s strategic response to Brexit and other challenges facing the economy, a new ring-fenced funding line, the Human Capital Initiative will be established.</li><li>It will be important to ensure that unemployed people and others more distant from the labour market benefit from these developments.</li></ol></li><li>Similarly plan for the increased digitalisation of work.<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;"><li>Under the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment there is €87m to support the National Broadband Plan and promoting digital adoption among small businesses and citizens.</li><li>Under the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection there will be technological innovations to enable the digital provision of services and information.</li><li>It will be important to ensure that unemployed people and others more distant from the labour market benefit from these developments.</li></ol></li><li>Run an information campaign on the Working Family Payment (WFP), formerly known as the Family Income Supplement (FIS).<ul><li>There was nothing new per se on this issue, but the INOU will be pursuing this issue through our work with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.</li></ul></li><li>Change the criteria on WFP from 19 hours a week or 38 hours a fortnight to 15 hours a week or 60 hours a month to support people in precarious employment.<ul><li>There was nothing new per se on this issue.</li></ul></li><li>Automate access to WFP and streamline this access to minimise the time gap between the individual taking up employment and gaining access to this support.<ul><li>There was nothing new per se on this issue.</li></ul></li><li>Actively support the roll-out of the Living Wage.<ul><li>There was nothing per se on this issue, but the Minister announced that the National Minimum Wage will increase to €9.80; the ceiling of the second USC rate band will be increased from €19,372 to €19,874 in order to ensure that the salary of a full-time worker on the minimum wage will remain outside the top rates of USC; and the weekly threshold for the higher rate of employer’s PRSI will be increased from €376 to €386 to ensure that there is no incentive to reduce working hours for a full-time minimum wage worker.</li></ul></li><li>Resource the provision of good advice and guidance to support unemployed people to access appropriate education and training.<ul><li>There was nothing per se on this issue.</li></ul></li><li>In particular the learning needs of unemployed people whose skills levels are below QQI Level 4.<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;"><li>There was nothing new per se on this issue.</li><li>Under the Department of Education and Skills through a reformed National Training Fund there will be additional 1,200 craft and earn as you learn places; 1,100 Traineeships; 7,400 Skillnet Ireland places; 1,000 Springboard places.</li><li>It will be important to ensure that unemployed people and others more distant from the labour market benefit from these developments.</li></ol></li><li>Support unemployed people to address the costs of participating in education and training.<ul><li>There was nothing new per se on this issue.</li></ul></li><li>Acknowledge and support the role of alternative and community based education in meeting the needs of unemployed people.<ul><li>There was nothing new per se on this issue.</li></ul></li><li>Resource the development and maintenance of independent community based organisations and their work with people experiencing social and economic exclusion.<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;"><li>Under the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection there will be a €2 million increase for materials funding for Community Employment Scheme.</li><li>Under the work programme of the Department of Rural and Community Development they note they will provide labour market training and supports through the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme; provide support for a range of initiatives in the community and voluntary sector; consolidate RAPID and Community Facilities Scheme into the Community Enhancement Programme; and continue to support Social Enterprise under the Community Services Programme.</li></ol></li></ol>Wed, 10 Oct 2018 12:39:00 GMThttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/10/10/what-did-budget-2019-deliver/Civil Society Organisations call for public support for Wednesday’s Leinster House Lunchtime Rallyhttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/10/03/civil-society-organisations-call-for-public-suppor/
<p class="text-center"><img src="/imglibrary/2018/10/15385583777570648_md.jpg"></p><p><em>‘Raise the Roof’ to coincide with opposition party motion on the Housing Crisis in the Dáil. </em></p><p>A wide range of Civil Society Organisations have come together urging support for the campaign to demand action on the housing crisis. &nbsp;A lunchtime rally (12.30-2pm) has been organised for Leinster House tomorrow, Wednesday, with a new direction in housing badly needed, ‘<em>Raise the Roof’</em>.</p><p>Across all areas of our society there is suffering because of the housing and homeless crisis. There are almost 4,000 children homeless, the thousands of parents trying to send their children to college are impacted, as are women experiencing abuse and seeking to leave a dangerous situation, as are those who might experience a temporary loss of employment, and couples wanting to start a family.</p><p><em>Threshold</em>’s <strong>John Mark McCafferty</strong> explained: “We see tenants accepting unsuitable, unaffordable properties as there are less and less properties on the market. All the while, rents are rising. This negatively impacts their health, well-being, dignity and ability to afford an acceptable standard of living. Those that can no longer afford the rents or compete in the market face homelessness and uncertainty.”</p><p><strong>Margaret Martin</strong>, Director of <em>Women’s Aid</em> said: “The housing crisis is having a serious impact for women and children affected by domestic abuse.&nbsp; The lack of affordable and social housing, coupled with the dearth of affordable rental properties&nbsp;means that there are women calling our Helpline who are forced to sleep in cars. Some find themselves on sofas at the homes of family.”</p><p><strong>Bríd O’Brien</strong> of The <em>Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed</em> added: “A lack of affordable and accessible options; uncertainty of tenure; delays in official supports coming on stream impacting access to what options there are. Landlords looking for work references have particular implications for people who are unemployed, and in particular for those who are long-term unemployed or may not have yet started their first job. It leaves people in an impossible cycle, as trying to get work without an address is challenging, while trying to get a home without a job is now more challenging”</p><p><em>Community Work Ireland</em>’s <strong>Rachel Doyle</strong> said: “The housing crisis is affecting whole communities throughout Ireland and particularly those who experience the highest levels of poverty, inequality and social exclusion including Travellers, migrants, lone parents. Provision of appropriate, sustainable and quality housing and accommodation are central to the realisation of social, cultural and economic rights. Collective responses to this issue are key to empowering communities and ensuring that the voices of those directly affected by the issues are heard and that housing and accommodation rights in Ireland are realised as a matter of urgency.”</p><p><strong>Paul Ginnell </strong>of the <em>European Anti-Poverty Network</em> (EAPN) said: “The housing crisis, and the inability to effectively address it, has the worst impact on those with the lowest incomes and living in poverty. Those 10,000 adults and children who are now homeless, and those on the margins of it, are experiencing tremendous damage to their wellbeing. The Government must now act decisively to rapidly deliver on adequate levels of affordable and social housing. It should also move to enshrine the right to housing in our constitution.”</p><p><strong>Nick Henderson</strong> of the <em>Irish Refugee Council</em> said: “At present, hundreds of people with refugee status, who have already spent protracted periods of time in the asylum process, are unable to move out of Direct Provision because of the lack of affordable rental<u> accommodation</u>. There is considerable solidarity on the ground amongst people, organisations and community groups, which is what’s needed - a united front to pressure the Government to properly respond to this crisis.”</p><p><strong>Bernard Joyce</strong> Director&nbsp;of <em>The Irish Traveller Movement</em> said: “<em>We need&nbsp;a shift in&nbsp;national policy&nbsp;and&nbsp;call this for what, it&nbsp;is, a national emergency&nbsp;housing crisis, the mechanism to deliver a home for Travellers has failed both our Community&nbsp;and the Irish State. We&nbsp;have&nbsp;put&nbsp;forward clear proposals&nbsp;to address&nbsp;the accommodation crisis facing our community. </em>Travellers account for 4,460&nbsp;people in overcrowded halting sites and in standard housing, 585 families living in unauthorised halting sites and a further 517 individual Travellers are homeless, eleven times the number for the general population<em>.</em>”</p><p><strong>Martin Collins</strong> of <em>Pavee Point</em> said: "Overcrowding is a major issue for Travellers as the community struggles to cope with the lack of accommodation.&nbsp; People ring us who have been on accommodation waiting lists for 10 and 15 years and are despairing. Living conditions impact on health - especially mental health and the Traveller community experiences a suicide rate that is six times the national average."&nbsp;</p><p><strong>For further information click here </strong><a href="https://www.ictu.ie/raisetheroof"><strong>https://www.ictu.ie/raisetheroof</strong></a></p><p><strong>The NGO supporters include: Threshold, Women’s Aid, Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed, Community Work Ireland, European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland, Independent Living Movement Ireland, Irish Refugee Council, Irish Traveller Movement, ATD Forth World, Barnardos, Pavee Point, Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice, Extern, National Youth Council of Ireland, Simon Communities of Ireland and Focus Ireland</strong></p>Wed, 03 Oct 2018 10:09:00 GMThttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/10/03/civil-society-organisations-call-for-public-suppor/September Unemployment Figureshttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/10/02/september-unemployment-figures/
<p>On October 2<sup>nd</sup>, 2018 the Central Statistics Office published the Monthly Unemployment figures for September 2018. 129,400 people were unemployed, the last time this figure was below 130,000 was March 2008. At that stage 129,700 people were unemployed and the Monthly Unemployment Rate (MUR) was 5.5%. In September 2018 MUR stood at 5.4%.&nbsp;</p><p>Looking at these figures from an age perspective 26.8% of those unemployed were aged between 15 and 24 years, and their MUR stood at 12.9%. There were 94,800 unemployed people aged between 25 and 74 years, and their MUR was 4.5%. In June 2008 there was a similar number of people aged 25-74 years were unemployed, 94,100, and their MUR stood at 4.9%.&nbsp; For the younger age group, their MUR is similar to mid-2008 rates. However, the number of young people unemployed has not been under 35,000 since March 2005. At that stage the MUR was 8.4%, and youth unemployment accounted for 36.5% of those unemployed. &nbsp;</p><p>Looking at these figures from a gender perspective, men account for 56.6% of those unemployed, and women for 43.4%. The MUR for men was 5.7%, and for women 5.1%. Young men had the highest unemployment rate a 13.7%, while women aged between 25 and 74 years had the lowest rate, at 4.2%. Older men accounted for 41.4% of those unemployed, while younger women accounted for the smallest share, at 11.7%.&nbsp;</p>Tue, 02 Oct 2018 13:39:00 GMThttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/10/02/september-unemployment-figures/Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS)http://www.inou.ie/press/2018/09/24/youth-employment-support-scheme-yess/
<p><strong> </strong><strong>On Monday, 24<sup>th</sup> September 2018 t</strong>he Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty T.D. launched the Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS). The scheme, which will commence on Monday 1<sup>st</sup> October 2018, is being backed jointly by the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.</p><p>YESS is a new work experience scheme targeted exclusively at young jobseekers who are either long-term unemployed or face significant barriers to employment. Work placements will be of three months duration with participants engaging in 24 hours work experience per week, over three to four days. Participation on the scheme will be wholly voluntary and participants will receive an allowance of €229.20 per week for the duration of their placement.</p><p>The programme will be available to people in receipt of any of the following payments will be eligible to participate in the scheme: Jobseeker’s Allowance; Jobseeker’s Benefit; One Parent Family Payment; Jobseeker Transition Payment; Disability Allowance; Blind Person’s Pension or Supplementary Welfare Allowance.</p><p>YESS participants must be:</p><ul><li>aged between 18 and 24, and</li><li>have been out of work and in receipt of a qualifying payment for at least 12 months, or</li><li>if unemployed for less than 12 months, be considered by a Case Officer to face a significant barrier to work. </li></ul><p>The scheme will be open to employers in the private, community and voluntary sectors. Each placement will have an assigned Case Officer who will monitor and evaluate the progress of the placement. As noted above, each placement will be of 3 months duration. However, a placement may be extended to six months on the approval of a Case Officer.</p><p>Young people wishing to engage in this scheme can find more information at <a href="http://www.welfare.ie/YESS">www.welfare.ie/YESS</a> or by calling their local Intreo Centre.</p><p>Employers who wish to offer a YESS placement can do so by going to the Jobs Ireland website <a href="http://www.jobsireland.ie/">www.jobsireland.ie</a> or by contacting the Jobs Ireland National Contact Centre on 1890 800024.</p>Mon, 24 Sep 2018 13:02:00 GMThttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/09/24/youth-employment-support-scheme-yess/September’s Live Register Figureshttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/09/18/septembers-live-register-figures/
<p>On October 4<sup>th</sup>, 2018 the Central Statistics Office (CSO) published the Live Register figures for September. The seasonally adjusted figure was 212,600, in September 2017 it stood at 250,900.</p><p>42% of the Register, or 86,406 people, have been on it for more than a year, 18,993 fewer people than in September 2017. The last time this figure was below 90,000 was October, 2009, when it was 87,414.</p><p>Young people, aged under 25 years account for 6.9% of those on the Register for more than a year. The age group with the highest percentage are those aged 35-44 years, at 21.1%. Looking at these figures from a gender perspective, women account for 41% and men 59%. Looking at the figures from a combination of age and gender, the largest group are men aged 35-44 years, at 12.9% of the Register.</p><p>Of the people who have been on the Register for more than a year, 49,486 people have been on it for three years or more: accounting for 57.3% of those on the Register for more than a year; and 24% of the whole Register.</p><p>Looking at this figure from the perspective of age and gender, men aged 45-54 years are the largest group, accounting for 13.4%. Looking at it from a scheme perspective, Jobseekers Allowance applications account for 73%, and Other Registrants account for 27%.&nbsp;</p><p>According to the Annex Table there were 48,339 people participating on Activation Programmes in August 2018, 2,726 fewer participants than in the same month last year. Community Employment accounted for 44.3% of this figure, with 21,414 participants. The next biggest scheme is the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance with 7,976 participants, followed by Tús with 6,495. Overall on employment programmes there were 4,081 fewer participants than in August 2017. According to this Table there were 1,355 more participants on education and training programmes, however the ‘Full-time training for unemployment people’ figure has remained unchanged since December 2017, and so this figure may not reflect the reality on the ground.&nbsp;</p>Tue, 18 Sep 2018 10:26:00 GMThttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/09/18/septembers-live-register-figures/Minister Regina Doherty launches the 25th edition of “Working for Work”http://www.inou.ie/press/2018/09/13/minister-regina-doherty-launches-the-25th-edition/
<p>On September 13th 2018 <strong><em>Ann Fergus,</em></strong> Chairperson of the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed welcomed <strong><em>Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection</em></strong> <strong><em>Regina Doherty TD</em></strong>, to Araby House, the INOU’s office in Dublin’s north inner city. The Minister was in the INOU to launch the 25<sup>th</sup> edition of the INOU’s flagstone publication <strong>‘<em>Working for Work’</em></strong>.</p><p>The INOU’s Chairperson, <strong>Ann Fergus</strong> noted <strong>that</strong><strong> <em>“</em></strong><em>‘<strong>Working for Work</strong>’ is a proven indispensable source of information for unemployed people, employers, and front-line staff both in the state and community sector”. </em>She continued “<em>It is the only publication that brings together the range of supports available for unemployed people trying to manage their daily lives, while at the same time offering them advice on their work, education or training options.”</em></p><p>In welcoming the Minister to Araby House, Ann said <em>“that it would be important to build on the welcome increases in the last two Budgets and to ensure that all social welfare rates lift people above the poverty line”. </em></p><p>The INOU was delighted to welcome back, Mike Allen, Head of Advocacy, Focus Ireland, who was the INOU General Secretary when the first edition of <strong><em>Working for Work</em></strong> was published. As Mike noted <em>“’Working for Work’” is important in many respects. One of the ways it is important is that it is a wonderful example of what can be achieved by collaboration between Government Departments and a voluntary organisation. Obviously, without the information and co-operation of all the Government Departments and agencies the INOU could not produce the book, but crucially through their interaction with the INOU they are able to deliver something which none of them could deliver on their own. ‘Working for Work’ provides a comprehensive and comprehensible link between the citizen and the supports available to her. Very often the citizen is vulnerable and distressed, almost always the support schemes are complex and interwoven. For a quarter of a century, through good times and bad times, Working for Work has provided and invaluable road map for that citizen in need of those services.”</em></p><p><em>And Mike continued “Like all valuable things, ‘Working for Work’ did not come easily. There have been many challenges over the years. Given the range of agencies, each with its own purpose and timescale, that is inevitable. But year after year – before social partnership, through social partnership, in recession and now in a labour market which offers once-in-a-generation opportunities for people who have been marginalised – ‘Working for Work’ has come out on time and with enviable clarity. There is much that other Government Departments and Agencies working with vulnerable people could learn from the story of ‘Working for Work’.” </em></p><p><strong>John Stewart</strong>, INOU Co-ordinator, noted that “<em>notwithstanding the greatly improved labour market, there is still a clear need for the provision of good quality employment services and guidance to support unemployed people to access a decent job and, if required, appropriate education and training supports”</em>.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>To view the PDF version of the book, please <a href="/download/pdf/working_for_work_2018_pdf_version.pdf">CLICK HERE</a> </strong></p>Thu, 13 Sep 2018 12:49:00 GMThttp://www.inou.ie/press/2018/09/13/minister-regina-doherty-launches-the-25th-edition/